Kerry Saints and Scholars

A wonderful guided walking week with Sean O Suilleabhain, founder of the Kerry Way walking route over 30 years ago.

Sean O Suilleabhain
Sean O Suilleabhain is one of Ireland 's leading walking experts and Go Ireland's director of Acitivity Programms since 1994. Sean founded the Kerry Way in the 1970's and wrote the best selling Walk Guide - Southwest of Ireland. He has devised our itineraries and assembled a great team of guides, many of whom are bi-lingual. He writes the notes that accompany the Dingle & Kerry Way independent walking tours. Seán would like to invite you on this special walk with him and share his passion for Ireland with you.

Walk with Sean O Suilleabhain on routes which have existed from time immemorial in the footsteps of the early Irish saints. Visit landmark spiritual sites from pagan times. Relax and unwind along the wild Atlantic coastline, renewing your spirit on this cultural experience of a lifetime.

The Kerry Way, a low-level walking route, uses the old droving paths and coach roads of the Iveragh Peninsula to create a spiritual journey through history and folklore. Spectacular views, combined with rare flora and fauna, geology and bird watching will be appreciated by all, whether amateur or enthusiast. With an experienced local guide at hand and luggage transfer taken care of, all you have to do is walk tall and enjoy a unique Irish experience.

What Your Guided Tour Includes:

• Seven nights accommodation based on two adults sharing in Irish Tourist Board approved accommodation with en-suite facilities (3 star hotel for 3 nights and quality guesthouses for the remainder).
• Full Irish breakfast on seven days
• Six packed lunches.
• Six dinners
• Trained escort/guide throughout itinerary.
• Luggage transfers.
• Boat Trip to Innisfallen island (Day 7)
• Go Ireland transfer from/to to Kerry and Shannon Airports for a small supplement (Please see details below)

Tour Highlights:

• The Kerry Way Walking Route - walking through history
• Spectacular coastal walks - along Dingle Bay and Kenmare River/Bay, Derrynane Beach
• Boat trip to World Heritage site, Great Skellig Island (habited 8th century by Irish monks)
• Pass the worlds largest Gannet colony on Little Skellig island
• Killarney National Park - Innisfallen Island & Abbey (6th - 12th century) , Muckross Friary (15th century), Muckross House (19th century) and Gardens, habitat of the native Irish Red Deer
• Staigue Stone Fort (circa 1,000 BC)
• Irish music, song and dance

Day 1 Arrival
Arrive at accommodation in Glenbeigh. Evening dinner at 18.30 hrs followed by briefing.

Day 2 The Kerry Way (Glenbeigh to Kells)
Distance: 17km/10.5miles Ascent: 300m/1,000ft
The first day's walking takes you on the early Christian route and medieval coaching road from Glenbeigh to Kells with detours to view archaeological artefacts such as the 4,000 year old Rock Art and Ogham stones of Drunghill and spectacular views across Dingle Bay and out to the Atlantic Ocean.

Day 3 - Knocknadobar
Distance: 10.5km/6.5miles Ascent: 700m/2,300ft
Views of the Atlantic Ocean and Dingle Bay are enlarged on a mountain walk. Knocknadobar (Cnoc na dTobar, the hill of the wells) was a pagan mountain. Now you can follow the Stations of the Cross to the Canon's Cross near the summit. A spur of the Kerry Way descends to Kells Cove where a refreshing swim could be an appropriate way to end the day. Transfer along the Ring of Kerry to the village of Caherdaniel. Overnight Caherdaniel.

Day 4 - Great Skellig Island
Distance: 1.6km/1miles (steep) Ascent: 180m/600ft
The pilgrim theme is continued as we take a boat trip to a World Heritage Site, the monastic island of Sceilg Mhichíl, dedicated like so many other isolated hermitages to Saint Michael. We pass the international gannetry of the Little Skellig. Overnight Caherdaniel.

Note: We have not included the price of visiting the Skelligs as this is a weather dependent trip. There will be a charge of EUR 45 per person for the trip.

Day 5 - The Kerry Way and Caherdaniel/Derrynane
Distance and Ascent: optional
You can enjoy a choice of walks - on the Blue Flag Derrynane Beach, through Derrynane National Park or the gardens of Derrynane House. A longer walk on a Mass/Smugglers Path allows views from a higher level, as you return to Caherdaniel on the butter road leg of the Kerry Way. Overnight Caherdaniel.

Day 6 - The Kerry Way (Caherdaniel to Sneem)
Distance: 8km/5miles Ascent: 350m/1,150ft
You return to walking the old coach road, continuation of the butter route, linking the picturesque villages of Caherdaniel and Sneem. There are spectacular views across the island-studded Kenmare Bay to the Beara peninsula. Pick-up at, the pre-historic stone fort of Staigue (circa 1,000 BC). Transfer along the Ring of Kerry to overnight in Killarney . 

Day 7 - Killarney National Park
Distance: 6km/3.75miles Ascent: reasonably level
A variety of experiences await you on your final day. A walk on Ross Island introduces you to copper mining dating from prehistory. A short boat trip to Innisfallen Island allows exploration of its monastic ruins. The boat drops us near 15th century Muckross Friary, to be explored before a short walk on the Kerry Way to the 19th century Muckross House, its Gardens and Tea Shop. Overnight in Killarney. Farewell Dinner.

Day 8 - Departure

General information on Go Ireland airport transfers
- Prices are per person and based on a minimum of 2 people per transfer.
- Please note that refunds are not provided for any unused portions of the transfer.
- All transfers must be booked at time of booking or we will assume you are making your own way to the first nights accommodation
- Private taxis can also be arranged – please see below.

KERRY AIRPORT (CLOSEST AIRPORT)
Public transport
There is a great public bus system from Kerry airport to Killarney with up to 10 buses a day. See http://www.buseireann.ie/ for details.

Go Ireland transfers from Kerry airport
All Go Ireland transfers from/to Kerry airport to Killarney & Glenbeigh will operate between 07.00 and 18.00 on Saturdays.
Kerry airport transfers run throughout the year.

                                              Single         Return
Kerry airport to Killarney      15                30
Kerry airport to Glenbeigh   25                50

SHANNON AIRPORT
Public transport
There is a frequent shuttle bus from Shannon airport to Limerick. You can then get a direct bus from Limerick to Killarney. The last bus from Killarney to Glenbeigh leaves Killarney at 15.00. See http://www.buseireann.ie/ for details. We recommend that you arrive in Shannon in the morning to make the connections.

All transfers from Shannon airport to Kerry will depart at 12.00 on Saturdays and arrive back at Shannon at 11.00 on Saturdays.
Shannon transfers run from 9 May to 3 October 2009.

                                                    Single     Return
Shannon airport to Killarney      50          100
Shannon airport to Glenbeigh   60          120

Individual taxis can be arranged from the following airports (at client’s expense)
Maximum of 3 plus luggage per taxi
                                                        Single          Return
Kerry airport to Glenbeigh               60             120
Shannon airport to Glenbeigh      200            400
Cork airport to Glenbeigh             180             360

Group Tour Dates:
- May 1
- July 24
- August 28

See Terms and Conditions and Price List